IEEE local geographic organizational units provide unique opportunities for members to attend technical presentations, create strong peer-to-peer connections, and participate in leadership opportunities that can make a positive distinction in IEEE members' jobs and careers.

The geographic organizational units of IEEE that can be formed by petition are Councils, Sections, Subsections, Chapters, Affinity Groups, Student Branches, Student Branch Chapters, and Student Branch Affinity Groups.

In accordance with the actions of the IEEE Member and Geographic Activities Board, there are specifics guidelines to follow when forming an IEEE geographic unit.

If you are interested in forming a geographic unit, please see the appropriate area and petition form on this page. Each form includes complete directions, requirements, and a simple workflow of the unit petition processing activity.

Upon joining IEEE, members are automatically associated with an IEEE Section. IEEE Sections provide their members a venue to share technical, professional, and personal interests locally, with their fellow members who live and/or work in close proximity.

To form a new Section, the petition form must be signed by a minimum of 50 eligible IEEE members. Forming a Subsection requires a minimum of 20 eligible members to sign the petition.

The IEEE Member and Geographic Activities Board shall approve the formation of a Section or Subsection at its next scheduled meeting.

The Section/Subsection petition form includes complete directions and a workflow document of the Section / Subsection petition processing activity.

In several Regions, groups of Sections agree to form a Geographic Council. This type of Council is intended to act as a subordinate committee of the Sections, and the Sections’ leaders have the right to direct its operation. The Council carries out delegated tasks that can be best done together by the Sections, rather than singly by each Section. The Sections retain their recognition as the basic operating, executive, and administrative unit of IEEE.

The Region Director and the IEEE MGA Board shall approve the formation of a Geographic Council.

The Geographic Council petition form includes complete directions and a workflow document of the Geographic Council petition processing activity.

Student Branches provide IEEE Student members the opportunity to meet and learn from fellow students, as well as faculty members and professionals in the field. An active IEEE Student Branch can be one of the most positive elements in a department, offering programs in IEEE designated fields of Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, as well as similarly related fields of interest.

The Student Branch petition form includes complete directions and a workflow document of the Student Branch petition processing activity.